Comments on: Thursday, June 27, 2019 – Abraham, Ishmael & Isaac

By: Skip

Skip — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 16:30:19 +0000

Chris, I get it “a spiritual sword”. However, the world and the 3 major religions will not know peace. I do have a Muslim friend and he’s a great person. Yes, we both can agree on one God the father almighty. He says the Muslims have 90 + factions of Islam. How many fractions of Christianity are there? Over 2 thousand from what I’ve read.
Anyway, not looking for an argument only stating from what I understand.
Peace be with you

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 16:04:16 +0000

I have learned from my scripture studies, from reading religious commentaries, that we should never take a verse such as Matt. 10:34 as a stand alone for discussion. One needs to read the passages before and after to understand what Jesus was trying to impart. As well, one should never translate scripture literally.

Jesus never wielded a sword against anyone, nor does he order his followers to swing one either. Remember Jesus told Peter to put away his sword when he cut off the ear of Malchus. He is saying a true disciple who comes from a possibly hostile family has to use a SWORD OF THE WILL (never a physical sword) to sever away all opposition.

Jesus says a spiritual sword, not a physical one, may sever family ties, so his disciples must be ready for that. How many of us have had discussions about what the bible says, got into an argument, got angry and so on. We start to take sides. Families become divided, stop talking to each other and so on.

Jesus uses the word sword metaphorically because it is the sharpest of all weapons. It is the emblem of the right of authority, the sword of (impartiality) justice. The Word of God, we may remember, is likened to a sword (Eph. 6:17, Heb. 4:12);

Here are few other places were the symbol of the sword is used:

The sword of Christ is: (1) a sword of separation, (2) the word of God (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12), (3) the sword of authority (Romans 13:1-8), (4) the sword of judgment (Genesis 3:24), (5) the sword of correction (Revelation 2:16), and (6) the sword of victory (Revelation 19:13). Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, was acquainted with that sword. “Yea, and a sword shall pierce thine own soul” (Luke 2:55).

The Gospel is such a penetrating message that it acts like a “sword”. It pierces the consciences of humanity and calls us to love God more than we love ourselves.

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Blessings
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Thou hast given me so much. Give me one more thing – A Grateful Heart. – George Herbert

By: Skip

Skip — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:37:33 +0000

Dan, you said “I choose to believe otherwise”. How do you explain Matthew 10:34-36?
From what I understand, we’ll always have division.

By: A

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 14:20:22 +0000

First thing I thought of was May Pang (Hagar), Yoko Ono (Sarah), and John Lennon (Abraham). The goal was not to have children, but the story follows a similar plotline. Then I thought of Julie Young, a writer for this website, who will surely get my reference.

Everybody who isn’t familiar with this story, look it up if you have time.

By: Sandi

Sandi — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 12:21:30 +0000

Excellent reflection, Dan. Very thought provoking. It’s hard to imagine what life was like in that time and how important it was to have children. It seems the division created between Sarai and Hagar continues today with all the negative emotions. Hopefully God has a plan for healing this great divide.

By: Jay Crewel

Jay Crewel — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 11:28:36 +0000

We are to live by the lessons in scripture???
This story from Genesis is an odd juxtaposition. Lineage is important, but perhaps too much detail. Such behaviors, generally, are considered our damnation. And to be followed in the gospel with a message of explicitly doing God’s will. I am torn. Reconciliation is elusive.

By: J

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:27:05 +0000

Great commentary!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 10:26:06 +0000

Thank you Dan for a good understanding of the first reading and how it applies to the modern world. I join you in your prayer for a more peaceful world. One God says it all. Peace be will all of us.